Srinagar, 31 January (H.S.): IAS officer Vivek Bhardwaj, who earlier served in Jammu and Kashmir in senior administrative roles, has been given additional charge as Secretary of the Department of Rural Development and the Department of Land Resources.

As per an official order, the competent authority has approved the assignment of additional charge to Vivek Bhardwaj, IAS (WB:1990), presently Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, from January 31, 2026 to February 6, 2026, during the leave period of Shailesh Kumar Singh, IAS (JH:1991).

During his deputation to Jammu and Kashmir, Vivek Bhardwaj held several important postings, including Administrative Secretary, Health and Medical Education, and was closely associated with key governance and development initiatives in the Union Territory.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar